This is thirty....thirty-two!

Another year. Another day. My 30's have been great this far. I dreaded turning 30 but quickly realized it was pretty amazing. This morning I woke up with "This is the day the Lord has made". Thank you God for another day of life, another year of life. I often dip into pieces of my past and wonder how on earth did I make it this far? God...that's the only explanation. Through all my life experiences and now working through my awful mood swings, He is the only one getting me through it. 

Today, I am here raising six babies and trying to be a "good" wife. After almost 14 years of marriage I still haven't figured out how to be a "good" homemaker, but I'm trying. 

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

The year ahead of me will be a year of healing my body & mind. I need to learn patience and grace. It will also be filled with lots of coffee drinking! 
~Cheers!~

Word of the Year 2017

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

Thanks to The Paper Shelter for this freebie background this past week!

It's a good day to start a new year! And with this new year comes another Word of the Year! My word is....

it is my hope and prayer that I can & will endure and persevere through whatever is thrown my way this year. All with God's strength of course, because I know I cannot do it on my own. 

Today has been a quiet, peaceful, & relaxing day. We made a huge breakfast, the hubs took all the kiddos sledding while I stayed home with the baby so he could nap. It's been a day of coffee, food, and family. I am grateful for the year behind us (the good and the bad), and looking forward to whatever is in store for this year. I am choosing to look at this new beginning with joy, and not fear. God is still in control no matter what is going on in our world...

Creative Corner Challenges - Coffee & Tea Time

Hello! I'm always up for a cuppa jo! How about you?

This week's fabulous challenge from Team Jess over at Creative Corner Challenges is Coffee & Tea Time. No sponsor this week, so anything goes!

I created a 12x12" layout for this challenge. I had one little 3x3" photo that I was dying to use from
camping last summer! Coffee made over the fire! :D I love camping, and not very often does inanimate objects get scrapped. In the words of Shimelle Laine, "scrapbook the everyday!" How cool is that? I  would love to do this more often!

Here is what I came up with!

{Go. Create. Art.}

2016: WOTY!

Family. Coffee. Train Track building. Take a walk. Watch Doctor Who. And who knows, maybe get some crafting fun in! ;)

I'm vegging out with the fam today, and like every New Year's Day I think about the upcoming year. Changes, plans, budgets (blah!), vacations, renovations, play dates, appointments....yup all on the list! This reflection usually evokes a variety of emotions...including some tears. My babies are growing up. That one usually hits me like a ton of bricks-->my youngest is turning one in a month?! WHAT?<-- The other one that I am worrying about; but giving it fully to God, is our finances. My maternity leave is up mid January. Which is where my new venture in photography comes in! Check out my new website here. Anyway...my ramblings bring me to this....

My Word of the Year is BE.

I want to be. I want to be a servant to and for Christ. I want to be bold in my walk with God. I want to be present --> with my family; my husband, my kids. I want to be brave in my new venture with my photography business. I want to be happy--> making changes and being happy with what I (we) already have. I want to be positive--> Look for the good in situations. I want to be strong--> I am working on getting healthy and getting strong through exercise and eating clean. I want to be the best person I can be this 2016 year.

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

Colossians 3:23

2015 Word of the Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nothing like coffee & blogging on the first day of a brand new year! AH! Refreshing isn't it?

I trust everyone had a wonderful time ringing in the new year! Most of my family (2 older kiddos are away at Grandparents!) spent the evening at our church with great food, friends, and fun! Board games galore!! We were home by 1 and asleep by 1:30. 

I started doing the Word of the Year 2 years ago now.

My first word was Joy. My second word was simplify. 

This year...my word is Grow.

Spiritually

&

Physically

SPIRITUALLY

I really want to grow closer to God. I want to give him everything that I am dealing with. There have been so many times where I try to do things my way and fail miserably. I am starting with letting God take control of every area in my life. Secondly, I am going to dive in to reading my bible (& begin my bible journaling!!). 

My friend added me to a Facebook Group called Journaling Bible Community a couple months back and I have been soaking it all in. What a beautiful way to worship God! I have honestly been neglecting the bible for quite some time. I asked Chris for a journaling bible for Christmas, and that is what I got! 

This is the one I have! Journaling Bible

Also, I really would like to start praying with my husband on a more regular basis. After 12 years together, I feel this is the direction God is leading us. I am really excited for this new chapter in our lives! 

PHYSICALLY

I am waiting anxiously to begin growing stronger in my physical self too. I am looking forward to getting back "into" shape by going back to the gym and starting up Zumba again. I realize this will take some patience, as I will be having this baby soon and will need to heal. I will be praying for patience and peace as I know that I will not get back to where I was over night. 

From my family to yours, 

Happy New Year  & Best Wishes in 2015!